Military Animal Project (MAP) was developed and launched out of the former organization, Pets For Vets Ventura County, CA Chapter (PFV VCC) that was established in 2014. After 4 years of working with our local veterans, Co-Founders - Mardu Lydick, President and Bob Horrell, Executive Director realized that there was a much greater need for Emotional Support (ESD) and Physical/Psychiatric Service Dogs. On May 7, 2018, MAP officially launched. MAP has created a unique opportunity to positively impact the lives of many of our Nation’s Warriors through the use of animal support services. Whenever possible, MAP adopts their dogs from local animal rescues/shelters and professionally trains them for the Veteran’s specific needs. This is our way of saying, “Thank You For Your Service.
With MAP’s Certified/Insured Therapy Dog Program we visit veteran’s, including but not limited to – nursing homes, assisted living, rehabilitation, therapy sessions, hospitals, hospice facilities, Vet Centers and in the privacy of their homes.
In addition to professionally trained dogs, we also offer our Equine Buddies Program (EBP). Born from the early sponsorship of Steven DePalma’s and Greg Eliel’s Veteran Barn Door Project, EBP is an intensive on-site confidence building program where the horse helps expose the Veteran’s internal conflicts. The leadership is based on achieving mutual trust and respect between horse and Veteran, enabling the Veteran to gain insight into potential resolutions to these conflicts. During our Equine Buddies Program, Certified Therapy Dogs are also on sight to assist the Veterans. All our programs are provided AT NO COST TO THE VETERAN.
Over the past 3 years, MAP has gone through several changes both pre and post COVID. One very important change was the acquisition of a 22-acre Dog Training & Equine Facility in Reno, NV. This property provides a permanent home for our animal support services and facilities for both local and remote veterans participating in our programs.
All of this was made possible through the extremely generous donation from William L. “Bill” (WWII Navy Veteran) and Marguerite “Maggie” Mors from Ventura County, CA.
